A Google Image search for Thomas Ruff initially brings up a sea of
faces in images reminiscent of the passport photo; similarity in crop and
facial expression unites the images as a set. Unlike some of the work Ruff is
known for such as domestic interiors and private sexual acts, these passport
style images are intentionally unglamorous and ordinary, the subjects devoid of
expression. The images were initially in black and white but Ruff eventually
switched to colour.
Image search showing Thomas Ruff with some of his Porträts
Ruff used the Porträts to suggest
that it is not possible to represent a subject’s inner life through
photography. Although I am not convinced that this is true, it does open up the
question of how much we can actually show about a person through photography. Yousuf
Karsh, believed that when shooting at precisely the right moment, a man’s
soul and spirit could be reflected in his eyes, his hands and his attitude. I
also believe this to be true.
The more we pose a subject in photography, the less of his or her own
personality we reveal. Ruff had posed his subjects for these images, even to
the extent of instructing them on facial expression. I feel that this posing
and instruction is what leads to the inability to extract any inner life, when
caught unaware, a subject’s life and soul can shine through.
No comments:
Post a Comment